BY UNNATURAL MEANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 592, 19 February 1929, Page 1

BY UNNATURAL MEANS

MARRIED WOMAN’S DEATH (Special to TUE SUE) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. After hearing the evidence of Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Hospital, and others, concerning the probable cause of death of Marguerite Downes, a married woman, aged 32, in the Christchurch Hospital on January 24, the coroner, Mr. E. D. Mosley, was satisfied that an illegal instrument had been used by some person unknown. Dr. Pearson, who made a post mortem examination, said that it would have been possible for Mrs. Downes to have brought about her condition. As the result of his examination he had come to the conclusion that she had been interfered with, either by herself or by somebody else. “The case has a very nasty ilavour.” said the coroner. “One can but come to tlio conclusion, on Dr. Pearson's evidence. that the woman’s death was brought about through unnatural means. ”1 am quite satisfied that an instrument was used either by herself or by somebody else. It is perfectly evident to me that it was not brought about in the nursing home, and 1 do not want it to go out to the public that Nurse Davidson was the cause of this trouble. I say that in case even a slight tinge of suspicion should rest on her.” The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.